What are some really good DX lenses for Nikon DX cameras?

I have a Nikon D3000 and I'm planning on getting some new glass. At this point I only have the 18-55mm kit lens. So what I want to know is what are some good DX lenses that I can get. I want to focus on portraits so I want something along the lines of 35mm primes to 85mm primes.

And you're restricting your lens choices to DX because?

Nikon's 17-55 is probably the best dx lens out there. On a D3000 I'd happily shoot a 50mm f1.8 af-s and a tamron 90mm f2.8 macro

You can use any of the AF-S lenses listed here, whether DX or FX

http://www.nikonusa.com/...index.page

Always look to the future when buying lenses. I would always opt for the full frame (FX) lens rather than a DX if I could afford it. The only time you can't get a FX version is for the super-wide angle lenses (16mm and shorter) as there are no FX equivalents.

Buying FX helps in 2 ways. First, if you ever decide to go full frame, you already have the lenses, and second, FX lenses - especially that a DX camera only uses the center of the optics - often provide better results.

The downside is that the FX lenses will be heavier than their DX equivalents.

Nikon 50mm f/1.8G, f/1.4G, 35mm f/1.8G and 40mm f/2.8G Macro would be the best.

Here's a Lens Buying Guide - http://www.the-dslr-photographer.com/2009/11/buying-a-lens/